The unanimous vote followed a robust discussion of the merits of the proposed five-story building, which will sit next to the existing city hall building on Fifth Avenue.

Most of the planning commissioners' concerns focused on two areas:

• Whether the $47 million project satisfies the standards of "pedestrian friendliness" the city expects of private developers.

• And whether parking was sufficient or, similarly, met the expectations that would be required of a private project.

In the end, commission members agreed to a resolution that stated they agreed the project met private development standards except for parking needs at the building.

Bounded by Fifth Avenue, Huron and Ann streets, the city hall property is - in fact - in a parking-exempt district, commission chairwoman Bonnie Bona said.

Nevertheless, the commission often examines parking demands and related projections of changes in traffic when it reviews projects. And, in this case, the planning department staff report noted concerns about on-site parking.

When the new building is constructed, there will be just 11 public parking space on the property. There are currently 40 spaces at city hall; a half a dozen free 15-minute spots, the rest metered.

The loss of five on-street parking spaces on Ann Street, which will give way to new driveways, will likely be more than offset by new on-street parking tentatively planned for nearby portions of Fifth Avenue and Division streets, Bona observed.

The plan next goes to the City Council, which - though divided - has already approved the project.